Thermal insulation of electrolytic cells



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .rr-llllllllltflllllllll 1 J. N. SMITH THERMAL INSULATION OF ELECTROLYTIC CELLS Filed Aug. 21, 1928 March 24, 1931.

March 24, 1931.

I J. N. SMITH THERMALVINSULATION OF ELECTROLYTIC CELLS 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed Aug. 21, 1928 -Patented Mar. 24, 1931 nurse srATEs,

' JAMES NORMAN sMITH, F TORONTO, ONTARIO, OANADA, AssIGNoa-cBY MEsNE AS- SIGNMENTS, To WESTINGHOUSE ELEcT Ic' & MANUFACTURING COMPANY,-.A 003- A IPOBATION 01E" EENNSYLVANIA THERMAL I SULATION E ELEoTEOLYTIo CELLS 1 Application filed August 21, 1,928; Serial NO. 301,143,

This invention relates to means for and method of increasing and conserving or regu-v lating the temperature of electrolytic apparatus, particularly of the type employed in the electrolysis of water.

The invention, as applied to electrolytic cells so as to effect an exchange of heat, and

also permitting an exchange of heat to take place, if desired, through vents between the fluid and the tanks associated therewith, the Object of this invention being primarily to thermally insulate the cells from the atmosphere, and, at the same time, to conserve and regulate the temperatures of the cells and, when desired, their associated tanks.

Another function of the insulating hood as applied to the electrolyzer or to the separating tank, Or to both, is to prevent heat loss from the cell to the surrounding atmopshere so that the heat caused by the electrical resistance of the cell may thereby produce a greater increase of temperature than could be otherwise obtained bysaid resistance heat. An embodiment of my invention as applied to an electrolytic cell, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Fig.1 isan elevation, partly in section, of electrolytic apparatus showing the insulating hoodenclosing a single cell unit;

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig.7 1, partly in section, and I g Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of electrolytic apparatus made up of a plurality of interconnectedcells and tanks.

v The electrolytic'apparatus to which my invention is applied, forthepurposes of il--f lustration in the present application, comprises one or more tanks 1 supplying electrolyte to the electrolyzer cells 2' through the pipe or pipes 8:. The cells are shown as raised above the floor level 4 and supported by insulators 5; 1

Placed around and enclosing the cell is a hood 6 lined with heat insulating material 7,

into or removed fronithe hood through said hood being spaced from the cell so as to provide passages 8, 8,' for the circulation of a heat'conducting fluid, such asair, nitrogen or hydrogen gas, etc", which may be injected ducts 9,9. I it. In some cases the circulating fluid-is introduced from duct 9, 'leaving'at openings Where an additional heating of the tanks 1 1s desired the heated air within the hood 6 W111 be vented and pass through the openings" .1 ATE 1 upon to 'conserve theheat of the cells, and prevent 1ts dissipation into the atmosphere;

10, 10, the plugs being removed therefrom,

in the top thereof and heatjthe tank 1 and the electrolyte therein,-so that, as nearly as possible, the temperature of the electrolyte in the tank shall approach that of the cell.

V In many cases the fluid supply ducts 9 may be omlttedandthe openings 10 closed,where an exchange of heatbetween thecell hood and V g the tank isnot required. I

The hood and its lining are preferably made 1n sections so that it may be readily positioned around'or removed from the cell. Having described my invention, what I claim is: 7

l An insulating hood for apparatus of the character described provided with a heat insulating lining enclosing andspaced from the apparatus to provide passages for a heat conductingand electrically non-conducting fluid to-circulate and having closable inlets and outlets to permit said fluid to pass through said hood. 2. A thermal insulation device for electrolytic cells comprising aiheat insulating hood adaptedto enclosethe cells and provide for a heat conducting and electrically non-conducting fluid to circulate therein between said tween-the cells and prevent heat radiation to he e t r or f aid hoodcells and hoodto cause a'heat exchange be 3. A thermal insulation device for electrolytic cells comprising a heat insulating hood adapted to enclose the cells and provided With means for introducing a heat conducting and electrically non-conducting fluid into said hood and causing said fluid to flow through said hood about the cells, said hood being also provided with means for regulating the flow of said fluid therethrough.

4:; The combination with electrolytic apparatus comprising electrolyzer cells and separating tanks associated therewith, of a heat insulating hood enclo'sing said cells and provided with means for introducingra heat conducting and electrically non-conducting fluid into said hood and causing said fluid tofloW through said hood about the cells,-and means for causing said fluid to flow from-said hood about said tanks to maintain the temperature ofnthe tanks at approximately that of said as s.

v ,Signed at Toronto, Province of Ontario, in the county of York,v and Dominion or" 'Canada, this 16th day of Aug, A. D. 1928.

JAMES NORMAN SMITH. 

